‘Stop killing us’: New York’s home care providers near hunger strike over wage injustice
Summary
Home care workers in New York are planning a new hunger strike because the city council has not yet voted on a bill to end mandatory 24-hour shifts, where workers are paid for only 13 hours. The workers say these long shifts hurt their health and pay, and the bill would limit work hours and increase penalties for agencies that force 24-hour shifts.Key Facts
- In a recent hunger strike, 15 home health workers camped outside New York City Hall for six days to demand a vote on the No More 24 Act.
- The No More 24 Act would break 24-hour shifts into two 12-hour shifts and limit workers to 56 hours a week.
- Current law allows agencies to pay home care aides for only 13 hours during a 24-hour shift by counting 11 hours as sleep and meal time.
- Many home care workers are immigrants and women of color who depend on the job for income and health insurance.
- Home care is a $13 billion industry in New York and one of the fastest-growing jobs in the U.S., expected to add 70,000 jobs by 2033.
- Home care workers provide essential services to patients who need constant care, such as people with advanced dementia and severe disabilities.
- The median annual wage for home health aides nationwide is about $34,900.
- Workers and advocates have used hunger strikes and lawsuits since 2015 to fight for better wages and working conditions.
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